The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman (2023 fiction)

Lady Augusta Colebrook (called “Gus”) is unmarried by choice, tired of being dismissed because she’s a woman, and bored with life. So is her twin sister Julia, who is grieving the death of her betrothed. They need a distraction, and what could be better than rescuing their friend’s goddaughter Caroline from her abusive husband. On the way to accomplish this, they are accosted by a highwayman, whom Gus accidentally shoots (not fatally). The highwayman soon becomes part of the rescue plot. There are two more “rescues” is this book, each one more complicated than the previous one. The stories are both thrilling and humorous. The ladies are very likeable and somewhat preposterous. Set in the early 1800’s, the book is well-written and true to the time period. I can see this becoming a series. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reviewed by Ginger Russell